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THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY |
THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM |
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No. 13/2026/TT-BKHCN |
Hanoi, April 09, 2026 |
ELABORATING ON DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF STANDARDS
Pursuant to the Law on Standards and Technical Regulations No. 68/2006/QH11 amended and supplemented by the Law No. 35/2018/QH14 and Law No. 70/2025/QH15;
Pursuant to the Government’s Decree No. 22/2026/ND-CP dated January 16, 2026 on elaboration of some Articles and measures to organize and provide guidelines on the implementation of the Law on Standards and Technical Regulations;
Pursuant to the Government’s Decree No. 55/2025/ND-CP dated March 02, 2025 on defining the functions, tasks, powers and organizational structure of the Ministry of Science and Technology;
At the request of the Chairman of the Commission for the Standards, Metrology and Quality of Vietnam;
The Minister of Science and Technology hereby promulgates a Circular elaborating on development and application of standards.
This Circular elaborates on the formulation and approval of plans for development, the development, appraisal, publication, publishing and release of national standards (TCVN); the application of TCVN, international standards, regional standards and foreign standards; the development and publication of fundamental standards (TCCS).
This Circular applies to state agencies, organizations and individuals involved in the process of formulation and approval of plans for development, development, appraisal, publication, publishing and release of TCVN; application of TCVN, international standards, regional standards and foreign standards; development and publication of TCCS in Vietnam.
1. “adjustment or addition to a plan” means the change of contents, the withdrawal from or the proposal for addition of TCVN to a TCVN development plan already approved by a competent authority.
2. “application of a standard” means the use of such standard for the management, production and trading of goods, services, processes, environment and other socio-economic activities.
FORMULATION OF PLANS FOR DEVELOPMENT, DEVELOPMENT, APPRAISAL, PUBLICATION, PUBLISHING AND RELEASE OF NATIONAL STANDARDS
Section 1. FORMULATION, APPRAISAL, ADJUSTMENT, ADDITION AND NOTIFICATION OF TCVN DEVELOPMENT PLANS
Article 4. Contents of five-year plan for TCVN development
The contents of a five-year plan for TCVN development include: fields, TCVN developers; types of standards; quantity of TCVN to be developed; name of TCVN to be developed (if any); implementation time; grounds for development.
Article 5. Sequence and procedures for formulation, appraisal, adjustment, addition and notification of annual plans for TCVN development
1. Drafting a five-year plan for TCVN development:
a) In the second quarter of the last year of the five-year plan period, Ministries, central agencies, ministerial agencies and Governmental agencies shall organize the development process and send a dossier on proposal for five-year plan to the Ministry of Science and Technology via the Commission for the Standards, Metrology and Quality of Vietnam (hereinafter referred to as “STAMEQ”) for consideration and consolidation.
The dossier on proposal for the five-year plan for TCVN development shall comply with the provisions of point b clause 1 Article 13 of the Decree No. 22/2026/ND-CP, consisting of an expected TCVN development plan for 05 years which is made using the form in Section 1 of Appendix I to this Circular; an explanatory statement which is made using the form in Section 3 of Appendix I to this Circular;
b) Pursuant to clause 1 Article 14 of the Law, STAMEQ shall prepare a draft five-year plan for TCVN development on the basis of the expected plans for TCVN development sent by Ministries, ministerial agencies and Governmental agencies.
2. Collecting opinions and completing the draft five-year plan for TCVN development:
STAMEQ shall perform the following tasks:
a) Send the draft five-year plan for TCVN development to Ministries, ministerial agencies, Governmental agencies, agencies and organizations concerned; post it on the web portals of the Ministry of Science and Technology and STAMEQ to obtain public opinions for 30 days from the date on which the draft is posted and sent for opinions;
b) Consolidate and process opinions on the draft; prepare a report on the consolidation and processing of opinions enclosed with an appendix containing a list of opinions (if any);
c) Preside over and cooperate with Ministries, ministerial agencies, Governmental agencies, agencies and organizations concerned in completing the draft and submit it to the Minister of Science and Technology.
3. Approving and notifying the five-year plan for TCVN development:
a) A dossier on the draft five-year plan for TCVN development submitted to the Minister of Science and Technology shall include the draft decision approving the five-year plan for TCVN development and a report on the consolidation and processing of opinions on the draft five-year plan for TCVN development enclosed with copies of opinions (if any);
b) The Minister of Science and Technology shall consider and approve the five-year plan for TCVN development. Within 10 days from the date on which the plan is approved, the Ministry of Science and Technology shall notify other Ministries, ministerial agencies, Governmental agencies and organizations concerned of the approved plan and shall publicly disclose it on the national database of standards, metrology and quality.
4. Implementing the five-year plan for TCVN development:
a) Based on the approved five-year plan for TCVN development, Ministers and heads of ministerial agencies and Governmental agencies shall organize the implementation of the plan;
b) Annually, at the request of the Ministry of Science and Technology, other Ministries, ministerial agencies and Governmental agencies shall notify the Ministry of Science and Technology via STAMEQ of the status and results of plan implementation;
c) STAMEQ shall supervise and expedite the implementation of the five-year plan for TCVN development; consolidate information and report to the Ministry of Science and Technology on the status and results of plan implementation.
5. Adjusting and adding the five-year plan for TCVN development:
a) The five-year plan for TCVN development may be adjusted or added at the request of Ministries, ministerial agencies, Governmental agencies, organizations and individuals concerned;
b) The adjustment (except the withdrawal case) and addition of the five-year plan for TCVN development shall be made in accordance with the corresponding order and procedures prescribed in clauses 1, 2 and 3 of this Article.
In a case of adjusting the five-year plan for TCVN development, a Ministry, ministerial agency or Governmental agency shall send its expected adjustment to the five-year plan for TCVN development prepared according to the form in Section 2 of Appendix I to this Circular, and the explanatory statement made prepared according to the form in Section 3 of Appendix I to this Circular to STAMEQ.
In a case of a proposal for withdrawal from the five-year plan for TCVN development, a Ministry, ministerial agency or Governmental agency shall send a document clearly stating the reasons therefor to the Ministry of Science and Technology via STAMEQ for implementation in accordance with clauses 2 and 3 of this Article.
Article 6. Contents of annual plans for TCVN development
The contents of an annual plan for TCVN development include: name of TCVN sorted by field; names of drafting agencies, organizations and individuals; implementation time; grounds for development.
Article 7. Sequence and procedures for formulation, appraisal, adjustment, addition and notification of annual plans for TCVN development
1. Drafting an annual plan for TCVN development:
a) In the second quarter of each year, based on the five-year plan for TCVN development or the provisions of clause 1 Article 14 of the Law, Ministries, ministerial agencies and Governmental agencies shall conduct review and consolidate proposals for TCVN development submitted by their affiliated units. Ministries, ministerial agencies, Governmental agencies, national standard technical committees (hereinafter referred to as “technical committees”) established by STAMEQ, and organizations and individuals shall submit a dossier on proposal for annual plan to the Ministry of Science and Technology via STAMEQ.
The dossier on proposal for annual plan shall comply with the provisions of point b clause 1 Article 13 of the Decree No. 22/2026/ND-CP, consisting of an expected TCVN development plan for the following year which is made using the form in Section 1 of Appendix II to this Circular; a TCVN development project which is made using the form in the Appendix III to this Circular;
b) STAMEQ shall organize the review of TCVN development projects with the participation by representatives of Ministries, ministerial agencies, Governmental agencies, agencies and organizations concerned where necessary in the form of a review meeting or collection of written comments; prepare a draft TCVN development plan for the following year according to the form in Section 3 of the Appendix II to this Circular;
c) TCVN included in the five-year plan for TCVN development shall be incorporated into the annual plan as the basis for the development and publication of TCVN in accordance with the provisions of point a clause 1 of this Article.
2. Collecting comments and completing the draft annual plan for TCVN development:
STAMEQ shall perform the following tasks:
a) Send the draft annual plan for TCVN development to Ministries, ministerial agencies, Governmental agencies, agencies and organizations concerned; post it on the web portals of the Ministry of Science and Technology and STAMEQ to obtain public opinions for 30 days from the date on which the draft is posted and sent for opinions;
b) Consolidate and process opinions on the draft; prepare a report on the consolidation and processing of opinions enclosed with an appendix containing a list of opinions (if any);
c) Preside over and cooperate with Ministries, ministerial agencies, Governmental agencies, agencies and organizations concerned in completing the draft.
3. Approving and notifying the annual plan for TCVN development:
a) A dossier on the draft annual plan for TCVN development submitted by STAMEQ to the Minister of Science and Technology shall include the draft decision approving the annual plan for TCVN development and a report on the consolidation and processing of opinions on the draft annual plan for TCVN development enclosed with opinions (if any);
b) The Minister of Science and Technology shall review and approve the annual plan for TCVN development in the fourth quarter of the year preceding the plan year. Within 10 days from the date on which the plan is approved, the Ministry of Science and Technology shall notify other Ministries, ministerial agencies and Governmental agencies of the approved plan and shall publicly disclose it on the national database of standards, metrology and quality.
4. Implementing the annual plan for TCVN development:
a) Based on the approved annual plan for TCVN development, Ministers and heads of ministerial agencies and Governmental agencies shall organize the implementation of the plan;
b) Every six months from the date of commencing the implementation of the approved plan or on an ad hoc basis at the request of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministries, ministerial agencies and Governmental agencies shall notify the Ministry of Science and Technology via STAMEQ of the status and results of the plan implementation;
c) STAMEQ shall supervise and expedite the implementation of the annual plan for TCVN development; consolidate information and report to the Ministry of Science and Technology on the status and results of plan implementation.
5. Adjusting and adding the annual plan
a) The annual plan for TCVN development may be adjusted or added upon written request of Ministries, ministerial agencies, Governmental agencies, organizations and individuals concerned;
b) The adjustment (except the withdrawal case) and addition of the annual plan for TCVN development shall be made in accordance with the corresponding order and procedures prescribed in clauses 1, 2 and 3 of this Article.
In a case of adjusting the annual plan for TCVN development, a Ministry, ministerial agency or Governmental agency shall send its expected adjustment to the TCVN development plan for the following year prepared according to the form in Section 2 of Appendix II to this Circular, and TCVN development project prepared according to the form in Appendix III to this Circular to STAMEQ.
In a case of a proposal for withdrawal from the annual plan for TCVN development, a Ministry, ministerial agency or Governmental agency shall send a document clearly stating the reasons therefor to the Ministry of Science and Technology via STAMEQ for implementation in accordance with clauses 2 and 3 of this Article.
6. In cases where a TCVN is developed according to simplified sequence and procedures, a Ministry, ministerial agency or Governmental agency shall send a written request together with an expected plan for TCVN development plan according to the form set out in Section 1 of Appendix II to this Circular to the Ministry of Science and Technology via STAMEQ.
STAMEQ shall organize the review of requests for adjustment or addition of the plan and, where necessary, seek opinions from relevant agencies and organizations before approval. In cases where opinions are sought, the time limit for seeking opinions shall not exceed 07 days.
STAMEQ shall consolidate and submit to the Minister of Science and Technology for approval the plan and shall notify Ministries, ministerial agencies and Governmental agencies of the approved plan and shall publicly disclose it on the national database of standards, metrology and quality within 03 days from the date on which the plan is approved.
Section 2. DEVELOPMENT, APPRAISAL AND PUBLICATION OF TCVN
Article 8. Sequence and procedures for development, appraisal and publication of TCVN the development of which is organized by Ministries, ministerial agencies, Governmental agencies (excluding the Ministry of Science and Technology)
1. Development, collection of opinions and preparation of a draft TCVN dossier:
a) Based on the TCVN development plan approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology, a Ministry, ministerial agency or Governmental agency shall establish a drafting board or assign a unit presiding over drafting (hereinafter referred to as “presiding unit”) to establish a drafting board to draft TCVN.
The drafting board shall include representatives of relevant agencies and organizations, experts and scientists;
b) The drafting board and the presiding unit shall assess the status; collect and research international standards, regional standards, foreign standards, documents and relevant scientific research findings; collect samples, carry out testing, experiments, operation, test run (if any) in order to determine the criteria, technical specifications and managerial requirements of the draft standard.
The drafting board and presiding unit shall develop the draft and explanatory statement as specified in the Appendix IV to this Circular for the draft TCVN;
c) The Ministry, ministerial agency, Governmental agency or presiding unit shall hold a consultation to discuss and comment on the draft; send the draft to agencies, organizations and individuals for their opinions and notify the collection of opinions on the web portal of the Ministry, ministerial agency or Governmental agency, and national database of standards, metrology and quality. The time limit for collecting opinions on the draft shall be at least 60 days from the date the draft is posted and sent for opinions;
d) The drafting board and presiding unit shall consolidate and process opinions and post consultation results, explanations for and acceptance of opinions on the web portal of the Ministry, ministerial agency or Governmental agency, and national database of standards, metrology and quality in order to complete the draft TCVN, compile a draft TCVN dossier according to point c clause 1 Article 14 of the Decree No. 22/2026/ND-CP, and send it to the Ministry, ministerial agency or Governmental agency presiding over TCVN development to conduct a review of the dossier and contents of the draft TCVN before sending it to the Ministry of Science and Technology for appraisal;
dd) The Ministry, ministerial agency or Governmental agency shall send an Official Dispatch enclosed with the draft TCVN dossier to the Ministry of Science and Technology for appraisal.
2. Appraising the draft TCVN dossier:
a) STAMEQ shall examine the draft TCVN dossier submitted by the Ministry, ministerial agency or Governmental agency for appraisal.
In case the draft TCVN dossier is not satisfactory as prescribed in point c clause 1 Article 14 of the Decree No. 22/2026/ND-CP, STAMEQ shall send an Official Dispatch requesting the Ministry, ministerial agency or Governmental agency to supplement and complete the dossier;
b) STAMEQ shall issue a decision to establish a draft TCVN dossier appraisal council.
The appraisal council consists of the president, secretary and members who are representatives of management agencies, science and technology organizations, economic organizations, related technical committees and experts in corresponding fields. The council shall have at least 07 members, 02 of them must have professional expertise in standard development or in the subject matter of the standard to act as critics. One of the two critics must be an independent expert.
A working session of the appraisal council must be attended by at least two thirds of the members, including the president and critics. Opinions and assessments on the draft TCVN dossier must be fully provided. Representatives of relevant organizations may be invited to participate in the working session for discussion.
Where a council member is unable to attend the appraisal session, such member shall send his/her written appraisal opinion to STAMEQ no later than 01 day prior to the date of the appraisal session.
The council shall work on the principle of democratic centralism. Verdicts of the council shall be ratified when it is voted for by at least three-fourths of the council members (if a member is absent, his/her previously sent opinion and assessment of the draft TCVN dossier shall be considered).
The appraisal council shall prepare a draft TCVN dossier appraisal record according to Appendix V to this Circular and send it to STAMEQ for consideration and notification of the appraisal results.
c) Where the draft TCVN dossier needs to be completed in accordance with the notification of appraisal results, the Ministry, ministerial agency or Governmental agency presiding over TCVN development shall accept and process opinions, complete the draft TCVN dossier based on the appraisal results, and submit it to the Ministry of Science and Technology via STAMEQ within 90 days from the date on which the notification of appraisal results is available.
If the aforementioned deadline is not met or pursuant to the appraisal conclusion, the appraisal process must be carried out again. The dossier to be re-appraised include the documents that need to be completed according to the appraisal results.
3. Publication of TCVN:
STAMEQ shall consider the results of the acceptance and processing of appraisal opinions and prepare a dossier on TCVN publication for submission to the Minister of Science and Technology for consideration and publication.
a) Where the draft TCVN dossier is satisfactory according to the appraisal results, STAMEQ shall submit it to the Minister of Science and Technology for his/her consideration and publication;
b) Where the draft TCVN dossier is unsatisfactory according to the appraisal results, STAMEQ shall send the draft TCVN dossier to the ministry, ministerial agency or Governmental agency presiding over TCVN development for processing and completion before submission to the Minister of Science and Technology for his/her consideration and publication.
Article 9. Sequence and procedures for development, appraisal and publication of TCVN the development of which is requested by organizations and individuals
1. Requesting the development of a draft TCVN:
a) An organization or individual shall send a written request enclosed with the draft TCVN dossier which they prepare to the Ministry of Science and Technology via STAMEQ.
An application dossier for draft TCVN development includes the draft TCVN enclosed with an explanatory statement; other documents (if any);
b) STAMEQ shall assign a corresponding Technical Committee to consider and study the organization or individual’s request. Where the request for draft TCVN development falls into a field the state management of which is assigned to a Ministry, ministerial agency or Governmental agency, STAMEQ shall consider opinions of the Ministry, ministerial agency or Governmental agency about the necessity and conduit for development of the draft TCVN.
Where the draft TCVN satisfies the requirement for the necessity for development and the Ministry, ministerial agency or Governmental agency gives consent to the draft TCVN in the field the state management of which is assigned to the Ministry, ministerial agency or Governmental agency, STAMEQ shall notify the technical committee to follow the sequence and procedures for proposing an inclusion in the TCVN development plan; organize the development and submission for publication of the draft TCVN in accordance with clauses 2, 3, and 4 of this Article.
In case a draft TCVN dossier fails to satisfy the requirement for the necessity for development or the Ministry, ministerial agency or Governmental agency does not give consent, STAMEQ shall give a written response to the organization or individual within 10 days from the date of receiving their written request.
2. Development, collection of opinions and preparation of a draft TCVN dossier:
a) The technical committee shall prepare the draft TCVN on the basis of the draft proposed by the organization or individual, establish a working group where necessary to draft TCVN; organize collection of opinions and discussions about the draft within the technical committee, finalize the draft and prepare an explanatory statement to the draft TCVN;
b) Through the Vietnam Institute of Standards and Quality, the technical committee shall submit the draft TCVN together with the explanatory statement to STAMEQ for its consideration to hold a consultation, collect opinions from relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals, and notify the collection of comments on the web portal of the Ministry of Science and Technology and the national database of standards, metrology and quality. The time limit for collecting opinions on the draft TCVN shall be at least 60 days from the date the draft is posted and sent for opinions;
c) The technical committee shall consolidate and process opinions to complete the draft TCVN, and through the Vietnam Institute of Standards and Quality, post consultation results, explanations for and acceptance of opinions on the web portal of the Ministry of Science and Technology and national database of standards, metrology and quality, compile a draft TCVN dossier according to point d clause 2 Article 14 of the Decree No. 22/2026/ND-CP, and submit it to STAMEQ for appraisal.
3. Appraising the draft TCVN dossier:
a) STAMEQ shall examine the draft TCVN dossier submitted by the technical committee for appraisal.
In case the draft TCVN dossier is not satisfactory as prescribed in point d clause 2 Article 14 of the Decree No. 22/2026/ND-CP, STAMEQ shall request the technical committee to supplement and complete the dossier;
b) STAMEQ shall establish an appraisal council and organize appraisal of the draft TCVN dossier as prescribed in point b clause 2 Article 8 of this Circular.
The appraisal council shall prepare a draft TCVN dossier appraisal record according to Appendix V to this Circular and send it to STAMEQ for consideration and notification of the appraisal results;
c) Where the draft TCVN dossier needs to be completed, the technical committee shall accept and process opinions, complete the draft TCVN dossier based on the appraisal results, and send it to STAMEQ within 90 days from the date of the notification of appraisal results.
If the aforementioned deadline is not met or pursuant to the appraisal conclusion, the appraisal process must be carried out again. The dossier to be re-appraised include the documents that need to be completed according to the appraisal results.
4. Publication of TCVN:
STAMEQ shall consider the results of the acceptance and processing of appraisal opinions and prepare a dossier on TCVN publication for submission to the Minister of Science and Technology for consideration and publication.
a) Where the draft TCVN dossier is satisfactory according to the appraisal results, STAMEQ shall submit it to the Minister of Science and Technology for his/her consideration and publication;
b) Where the draft TCVN dossier is unsatisfactory according to the appraisal results, STAMEQ shall send the draft TCVN dossier to the related technical committee for processing and completion before submission to the Minister of Science and Technology for his/her consideration and publication.
Article 10. Sequence and procedures for development, appraisal and publication of TCVN the development of which is organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology
1. Sequence and procedures for development, appraisal and publication of TCVN the development of which is organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology via a technical committee shall comply with clauses 2, 3 and 4 Article 9 of this Circular. Dossiers on TCVN appraisal and publication shall comply with points a and b clause 3 Article 14 of the Decree No. 22/2026/ND-CP.
In the course of drafting TCVN, the technical committee shall research international standards, regional standards, foreign standards, documents and relevant scientific research findings; assess the status, collect samples, carry out testing, experiments, operation, test run (if any) in order to determine the criteria, technical specifications and managerial requirements of the draft TCVN.
2. Sequence and procedures for development, appraisal and publication of TCVN the development of which is organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology via its affiliated unit (the presiding unit) or by way of establishment of a drafting board are as follows:
a) Sequence and procedures for development, collection of opinions and preparation of a draft TCVN dossier are specified in points a, b, c and d clause 1 Article 8 of this Circular. The presiding unit or drafting board shall submit the draft TCVN dossier to STAMEQ for appraisal;
b) STAMEQ shall consider the draft TCVN dossier submitted by the presiding unit or drafting board for appraisal. In case the draft TCVN dossier is not satisfactory as prescribed in point a clause 3 Article 14 of the Decree No. 22/2026/ND-CP, STAMEQ shall request the presiding unit or drafting board to supplement and complete the dossier.
STAMEQ shall establish an appraisal council and organize appraisal of the draft TCVN dossier as prescribed in point b clause 2 Article 8 of this Circular.
The appraisal council shall prepare a draft TCVN dossier appraisal record according to Appendix V to this Circular and send it to STAMEQ for consideration and notification of the appraisal results.
Where the draft TCVN dossier needs to be completed, the presiding unit or drafting board shall accept and process opinions, complete the draft TCVN dossier based on the appraisal results, and send it to STAMEQ within 90 days from the date of the notification of appraisal results.
If the aforementioned deadline is not met or pursuant to the appraisal conclusion, the appraisal process must be carried out again. The dossier to be re-appraised include the documents that need to be completed according to the appraisal results.
c) Publication of TCVN
STAMEQ shall consider the results of the acceptance and processing of appraisal opinions and prepare a dossier on TCVN publication for submission to the Minister of Science and Technology for his/her consideration and publication.
Where the draft TCVN dossier is satisfactory according to the appraisal results, STAMEQ shall submit it to the Minister of Science and Technology for his/her consideration and publication.
Where the draft TCVN dossier is unsatisfactory according to the appraisal results, STAMEQ shall transfer the draft TCVN dossier to the presiding unit or drafting board for processing and completion before submission to the Minister of Science and Technology for his/her consideration and publication.
Article 11. Development, appraisal and publication of TCVN according to simplified sequence and procedures
1. Based on the TCVN development plan approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology, a Ministry or Governmental agency shall organize the drafting of TCVN in accordance with the corresponding provisions of Articles 8 and 10 of this Circular.
2. The Ministry, ministerial agency, Governmental agency or presiding unit and the technical committee via the Vietnam Institute of Standards and Quality shall send the draft TCVN to related agencies, organizations and individuals for their opinions; notify the collection of opinions on the web portal of the Ministry, ministerial agency or Governmental agency, and national database of standards, metrology and quality within a period not exceeding 10 days; prepare a draft TCVN dossier and send it to the Ministry of Science and Technology for appraisal.
3. STAMEQ shall appraise the draft TCVN dossier according to relevant provisions of clause 2 Article 8 or Article 10 of this Circular within 07 working days from the date of receiving a valid dossier.
4. The Ministry, ministerial agency, Governmental agency or presiding unit and the technical committee presiding over TCVN development shall accept and process opinions, complete the draft TCVN dossier and relevant documents based on the appraisal results, and submit it to the Ministry of Science and Technology via STAMEQ within 05 working days from the date of the notification of appraisal results.
5. The Minister of Science and Technology shall publish TCVN as prescribed in clause 3 Article 8 of this Circular within 07 working days from the date on which an appraisal opinion that the standard is conformable is obtained or the dossier completed according to the appraisal results is valid and conformable.
Section 3. REVIEW, AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENTATION, REPLACEMENT, REPEAL OF TCVN AND ASSESSMENT OF EFFECTIVENESS OF TCVN APPLICATION
Article 12. Review and assessment of effectiveness of TCVN application
1. Periodic review and assessment of effectiveness of TCVN application shall be carried out according to the following sequence and procedures:
a) Every year, STAMEQ shall compile a list of national standards that have to undergo periodic review and assessment of the effectiveness of their application after 03 years from the date of publication to include them in the annual plan and five-year plan for TCVN and send it to Ministries, ministerial agencies and Governmental agencies;
b) Ministries, ministerial agencies and Governmental agencies shall preside over and cooperate with STAMEQ in conducting review and assessment of the effectiveness of TCVN application according to the list specified in point a of this clause.
STAMEQ shall preside over and cooperate with Ministries, ministerial agencies and Governmental agencies in conducting review and assessment of the effectiveness of application of TCVN developed by the Ministry of Science and Technology.
c) The agencies presiding over review and assessment of the effectiveness of TCVN application as specified in point b of this clause shall conduct review, collect information and data, carry out assessment and seek opinions of related parties during implementation;
d) Based on the results of the review and assessment of the effectiveness of TCVN application, Ministries, ministerial agencies and Governmental agencies shall send the results of periodic review and assessment of the effectiveness of TCVN application by using the form prescribed in Appendix VI to the Ministry of Science and Technology through STAMEQ together with other relevant documents (if any).
STAMEQ shall consolidate results of periodic review and assessment of the effectiveness of TCVN application and report them to the Ministry of Science and Technology.
2. Ministries, ministerial agencies and Governmental agencies shall decide to organize review and assessment of the effectiveness of TCVN application earlier than the 03-year period in a case of change of technology, safety risks, change of law, integration requirements or other necessary case in accordance with sequence and procedures appropriate to the characteristics of the sector or field under their management.
3. The results of review and assessment of effectiveness of TCVN application shall serve as the basis for the development, amendment, supplementation, replacement or repeal of TCVN and shall be reflected in the corresponding dossiers submitted to the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Article 13. Amendment, supplementation and replacement of TCVN
1. Amendment, supplementation and replacement of TCVN shall be included in TCVN development plans according to clause 1 Article 5 and clause 1 Article 7 of this Circular.
2. Amendment, supplementation and replacement of TCVN shall be carried out following the corresponding sequence and procedures specified in Articles 8, 9, 10 and 11 of this Circular.
3. Results of amendment, supplementation and replacement of TCVN are decisions on publication of amendments and supplements to TCVN or publication of replacing TCVN.
1. Repeal of TCVN shall comply with the sequence and procedures specified in Article 20 of the Decree No. 22/2026/ND-CP.
2. In the case of repeal of TCVN as prescribed in clause 2 Article 20 of the Decree No. 22/2026/ND-CP, the collection of opinions and appraisal are provided for as follows:
a) A Ministry, ministerial agency, Governmental agency, technical committee, organization or individual shall send written requests for opinions on TCVN repeal to agencies, organizations and individuals concerned. The agencies, organizations and individuals receiving the written requests for opinions shall give a written response within 20 days of receipt of the written requests;
b) Appraising the application dossier for TCVN repeal:
STAMEQ shall examine the application dossier for TCVN repeal submitted by the Ministry, ministerial agency, Governmental agency, technical committee, organization or individual for appraisal. In case the dossier submitted for appraisal is not satisfactory as prescribed in clause 2 Article 20 of the Decree No. 22/2026/ND-CP, STAMEQ shall request the Ministry, ministerial agency, Governmental agency, technical committee, organization or individual to supplement and complete the dossier.
STAMEQ shall establish an appraisal council and organize appraisal of the dossier as prescribed in point b clause 2 Article 8 of this Circular. Contents of appraisal are specified in clauses 1, 2 and 3 Article 18 of the Law on Standards and Technical Regulations No. 68/2006/QH11 amended and supplemented by the Law No. 35/2018/QH14 and Law No. 70/2025/QH15 (hereinafter referred to as “the Law”).
The appraisal council shall prepare a draft TCVN dossier appraisal record and send it to STAMEQ for consideration and notification of the appraisal results.
The time limit for conducting appraisal and notifying appraisal results is 30 days from the date of receiving a valid dossier.
Where the dossier needs to be completed, the Ministry, ministerial agency, Governmental agency, technical committee, organization or individual shall accept and process appraisal opinions and send them to STAMEQ within 20 days from the date of the notification of appraisal results for its consideration and decision.
3. The result of TCVN repeal shall be a decision on TCVN repeal.
Section 4. SYMBOLS, STRUCTURE, DRAFTING, PUBLISHING, RELEASE, ARCHIVING AND DISSEMINATION OF TCVN
Article 15. Symbols, presentation of contents of TCVN
1. Symbols, structure and drafting of TCVN shall comply with TCVN 1-2:2025.
2. Where the draft TCVN contains specific requirements for structure and drafting in order to ensure its conformity with international practices or the requirements of the organization holding the copyright to the standard serving as the basis for development of the draft TCVN, the Ministry of Science and Technology shall preside over and cooperate with relevant ministries, ministerial agencies and Governmental agencies in determining the structure and drafting of the draft TCVN.
Article 16. Archiving of draft TCVN dossiers
Dossiers on appraisal and publication of draft TCVN; dossiers on development, amendment, supplementation, replacement, and repeal of TCVN under STAMEQ’s processing authority as prescribed in this Circular shall be archived at STAMEQ in accordance with the law on archiving of documents and records.
Article 17. Publishing and release of TCVN
1. STAMEQ shall periodically update and release the list of national standards.
2. STAMEQ shall publicly disclose TCVN developed using state budget; TCVN referenced in technical regulations on the national database of standards, metrology and quality. The public disclosure of TCVN prescribed in this clause must comply with clause 1 Article 21 of the Law.
Article 18. Dissemination of TCVN
1. Ministries, ministerial agencies and Governmental agencies shall rely on the demands for state management, practical requirements of production and business activities, and the level of impact of TCVN to determine TCVN to be disseminated.
2. Ministries, ministerial agencies and Governmental agencies shall formulate plans for TCVN dissemination for each period or on an annual basis.
3. A plan for TCVN dissemination shall include a list of national standards to be disseminated; objectives and requirements of dissemination activities; entities to which national standards are disseminated; forms of dissemination; time and roadmap for dissemination; expected funding and funding sources for dissemination (if any); other relevant contents.
4. TCVN dissemination must adhere to the following principles:
a) Be appropriate to the functions, duties and scope of state management as assigned;
b) Ensure the accuracy and consistency of the contents of TCVN.
GUIDELINES FOR APPLICATION OF NATIONAL STANDARDS, INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS, REGIONAL STANDARDS AND FOREIGN STANDARDS IN VIETNAM
Article 19. Purposes, principles and measures for promoting application of TCVN
1. Purposes of using TCVN:
a) Agencies, organizations and individuals shall use TCVN to organize and conduct conformity assessment activities;
b) Agencies, organizations and individuals shall formulate specific plans and roadmaps for making investment in technology and for management in order to satisfy the requirements of the TCVN intended to be applied;
c) Other appropriate purposes.
2. Principles of TCVN application:
a) A national standard shall become mandatory when referenced in a legislative document or technical regulation;
b) In addition to the case specified in point a of this clause, agencies, organizations and individuals may, on their own initiative, decide the direct application of TCVN to their production and business, service provision, trade, and other socio-economic activities;
c) The TCVN application must not contradict provisions laid down under Vietnam’s legislative documents or must not be detrimental to national defense, security, socio-economic interests, and other national interests;
d) The application of national standards must comply with the law on intellectual property and policies on standards copyright of organizations holding copyrights on international standards, regional standards and foreign standards in cases where national standards are developed on the basis of adoption of international standards, regional standards and foreign standards.
3. Measures for promoting application of TCVN:
a) Propagate and disseminate TCVN, provide guidelines on and training in TCVN application to related entities.
b) Appropriately use TCVN for the formulation of legislative documents, technical regulations, production, business, services, and other socio-economic activities;
c) Promote conformity assessment activities and declaration of conformity with standards in accordance with the published TCVN.
4. Where Ministries managing sectors and fields intend to encourage the application of TCVN to a specific field or entity, such ministries shall promulgate documents on the application.
Article 20. Purposes, principles and measures for promoting application of international standards, regional standards and foreign standards
1. Purposes of using international standards, regional standards and foreign standards:
a) The national standards body, Ministries and central agencies shall develop TCVN on the basis of adoption and harmonization of advanced international standards, regional standards and foreign standards;
b) Agencies, organizations and individuals shall use international standards, regional standards and foreign standards to organize and conduct conformity assessment activities;
c) Agencies, organizations and individuals shall formulate specific plans and roadmaps for making investment in technology and for management in order to satisfy the requirements of international standards, regional standards or foreign standards intended to be applied;
d) Other appropriate purposes.
2. Purposes of application of international standards, regional standards and foreign standards:
a) An international standard, regional standard or foreign standard shall become mandatory when referenced in a legislative document or technical regulation;
b) Ministries, ministerial agencies and Governmental agencies shall, in the fields under their assigned state management, promulgate documents encouraging the direct application of international standards, regional standards and foreign standards in the relevant fields;
c) In addition to the case specified in points a and b of this clause, agencies, organizations and individuals may, on their own initiative, decide the direct application of TCVN to their production and business, service provision, trade, and other socio-economic activities;
d) The application of international standards, regional standards and foreign standards must not contradict provisions laid down under Vietnam’s legislative documents or must not be detrimental to national defense, security, socio-economic interests, and other national interests;
dd) The application of international standards, regional standards and foreign standards must comply with the law on intellectual property and policies on standards copyright of organizations holding copyrights on international standards, regional standards and foreign standards.
3. Measures for promoting application of international standards, regional standards and foreign standards:
c) Conduct researches to apply international standards, regional standards and foreign standards in Vietnam’s context;
b) Actively participate in the operation of related international, regional or foreign standard technical committees;
c) Organize dissemination and provide guidelines on application of international standards, regional standards and foreign standards.
DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLICATION OF FUNDAMENTAL STANDARDS (TCCS)
Article 21. Methods for TCCS development
1. Adoption of corresponding international standards, regional standards or foreign standards as TCCS.
2. Self-research into and development of TCCS on the basis of scientific and technological research findings; results of testing, assessment, analysis and experiments; practical experience.
Article 22. Sequence and procedures for development and publication of TCCS
1. A fundamental standard shall be developed depending on the form, management function and type of production and business of the establishment publishing fundamental standards (hereinafter referred to as “the establishment”). Sequence and procedures for development and publication of a fundamental standard are provided for as follows:
a) The establishment shall organize the research and preparation of the draft TCCS and, where necessary, invite representatives of relevant agencies, organizations, individuals and technical committees to participate in the drafting process;
b) The establishment shall organize the collection of opinions on the draft TCCS where necessary or as prescribed in clause 3 Article 25 of this Circular by sending written requests for opinions to relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals or organizing a conference or workshop for opinions.
A dossier sent for opinions include the draft TCCS enclosed with an explanatory statement. The explanatory statement to the draft TCCS shall be developed based on the form specified in the Appendix IV to this Circular;
c) The establishment shall organize the processing of opinions and finalize the draft TCCS; prepare the draft TCCS dossier, including: the draft TCCS together with an explanatory statement; report on consolidation and processing of opinions from agencies, organizations, and individuals specified in point b of this clause.
d) The establishment shall organize the verification of the draft TCCS to ensure that the draft TCCS complies with the principles prescribed in Article 6 and Article 10a of the Law.
dd) In a case where TCCS is used for certification as prescribed in clause 2 Article 44 of the Law, Article 25 of this Circular shall apply.
2. Publication of TCCS:
a) The head of the establishment shall consider issuing a written decision on TCCS publication.
b) The TCCS publication dossier shall be archived at the establishment.
3. Notifying the publication of TCCS
The establishment shall notify the publication of TCCS via the national database of standards, metrology and quality within 20 days from the date of notifying TCCS; contents of the notification are specified in clause 3 Article 15 of Decree No. 22/2026/ND-CP and clause 2 Article 20 of the Law.
4. Based on this general guidance, establishments shall develop procedures and detailed guidance on the development, amendment, supplementation, and publication of TCCS suitable to their conditions and scale.
Article 23. Amendment, supplementation, replacement and repeal of TCCS
1. The amendment, supplementation, replacement and repeal of TCCS shall be carried out on the basis of reviewing TCCS or at the request of organizations and individuals.
2. Sequence and procedures for amendment, supplementation and replacement of TCCS are specified in Article 22 of this Circular.
3. Sequence and procedures for TCCS repeal are as follows:
a) The establishment shall collect opinions on TCCS repeal as prescribed in point b clause 1 Article 22 of this Circular, process opinions and prepare an application dossier for TCCS repeal;
An application dossier for TCCS repeal includes TCCS together with an explanatory statement; report on consolidation and processing of opinions from agencies, organizations, and individuals (if any);
b) The head of the establishment shall consider issuing a written decision on TCCS repeal.
Article 24. Symbols, structure and drafting of TCCS
1. Symbols of TCCS are provided for as follows:
a) The symbol of a fundamental standard includes a number, year of publication after the abbreviation “TCCS”, separated by a colon (:);
b) The abbreviation of the publishing (promulgating) establishment is placed after the year of publication, separated by a slash (/).
For example: TCCS 26:2026/XXX is the symbol of fundamental standard No. 26, developed and published in 2026 by a company abbreviated as XXX.
2. The contents of a fundamental standard shall have the following main parts: Table of contents; Foreword; General (overall part, technical part); Additional information.
Framework, structure and drafting can be found in TCVN 1-2:2025.
3. A fundamental standard must clearly provide for the scope of its application.
4. TCCS should be concise, clear, accurate, unequivocal and correct; should not have contents that are general, confusing and ambiguous.
If a standard has technical requirements or testing methods, its contents must be specific and can be assessed with existing of the establishment, domestic or foreign laboratory.
5. TCCS can be bound separately or as a collection by topic or regulated entities.
The pages of a fundamental standard shall be numbered and printed as separate sheets for convenient addition, removal or replacement of contents. Every fundamental standard shall have covers.
Article 25. Fundamental standards of societies and associations as prescribed in clause 2 Article 44 of the Law
Sequence and procedures for development and publication of a society’s or association’s fundamental standard used for certification shall comply with Article 22 of this Circular and satisfy the following requirements:
1. The society or association shall establish a TCCS drafting board with the participation of representatives from members of the society or association, agencies, organizations and experts concerned, ensuring openness, transparency, non-discrimination, and avoidance of unreasonable barriers; members participating in the drafting and verification process must ensure independence and objectivity and must not concurrently participate in the certification of such TCCS.
A TCCS drafting board shall comprise a head, secretary and members.
2. The head and secretary of the drafting board are encouraged to participate in professional training courses on standard development organized by the national standards body.
3. After organizing the review of the draft TCCS, the society or association shall submit the draft TCCS dossier for opinions from the relevant sector- or field-managing Ministry and the national standards body as follows:
a) The dossier submitted for opinions shall comprise the draft TCCS together with an explanatory statement containing at lease the scope of application, core requirements, and assessment methods verified by the society or association; a report on consolidation and processing of opinions from agencies, organizations and individuals concerned (if any); a conclusion on draft TCCS dossier verification;
b) The relevant sector- or field-managing ministry and national standards body shall give a written response within 15 days of receipt of an adequate dossier.
The national standards body shall rely on TCVN ISO/IEC 17007:2011 to express its opinions on the draft TCCS dossier.
1. This Circular comes into force 45 days after the date on which it is signed for promulgation.
2. The Circular No. 11/2021/TT-BKHCN dated November 18, 2021 of the Minister of Science and Technology shall cease to have effect from the effective date of this Circular.
Article 27. Transitional clauses
1. If any national standard under a TCVN development project included in the 2025 TCVN development plan approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology is developed and appraised but is yet to be published, the provisions of the Circular No. 11/2021/TT-BKHCN dated 18 November 2021 of the Minister of Science and Technology shall continue to apply.
2. Regarding fundamental standards published before the effective date of this Circular, their publication shall be notified through the national database of standards, metrology and quality before December 31, 2026.
Article 28. Responsibility for implementation
1. Difficulties that arise during the implementation of this Circular should be promptly reported to the Ministry of Science and Technology for its consideration and resolution under its authority or for amendments.
2. Ministers, heads of ministerial agencies, Chairpersons of People’s Committees of provinces and cities are responsible for the implementation of this Circular./.
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THE MINISTER Vu Hai Quan |
